Summary The BBC reported militants had visited Syria to set up a base with the help of ex-Afghan fighter.
LAHORE (Web Desk) - The Pakistani Taliban have visited Syria to set up a base and to assess "the needs of the jihad", the BBC Urdu website reported.
The militants had visited Syria to set up a base with the assistance of ex-Afghan fighter from the Middle East who had recently moved to the region and to assess the "needs of jihad", Mohammad Amin, a Taliban operative told BBC.
At least 12 experts in warfare and information technology had gone to Syria in the last two months, he said.
Amin was further quoted as saying that the cell, approved by militant factions both within and outside of the TTP, sends "information and feedback" on the conflict in Syria back to Pakistan.
Their job is to "assess the needs of the Jihad in Syria, and to work out joint operations with our Syrian friends", the senior Taliban member added.
The presence of the Taliban in Syria is perceived to have a sectarian motive as some factions of the militant organisation feel that Sunni Muslims, who constitute a majority in Syria, are being oppressed by Syria s predominantly rulers.
